Decorative Area Rugs: How to Care for Area Rugs

Area rugs have been around for millennia, almost from the dawn of civilization, when people first decided to try to cover their hard surface floors with something a bit softer and warmer. As rug craftsmen became more adept at weaving beautiful designs and technology allowed rugs to become more durable, rugs began to increase in value until sometimes they became the most valuable thing a family owned.

With the advent and widespread use of wall-to-wall carpeting, area rugs went through a period of decline in the decorating world. However, they've made a strong comeback in recent years as decorators rediscover how quickly an area rug can revitalize and energize a room, as well as providing adding color, warmth, and sound absorption.

Well-made area rugs are meant to last for many years, and can even be handed down to your heirs if properly cared for. That means guarding against a rug's greatest enemies, mildew, dirt, moths, carpet beetles, and of course, general wear-and-tear of daily use. Here are a few tips on keep your area rug looking great and in good shape.

Area Rug Care

One of the most important things to do to preserve the life of your area rug is to rotate it from time to time. That way, one section of the rug won't receive more traffic than others for long periods, and your carpet will wear evenly. The same is true of exposure to sunlight. If there are bright colors in your rug, you'll want to have all areas exposed to sunlight as evenly as possible, since a certain amount of fading is inevitable.

If something gets spilled on your rug, immediately take steps to remove the moisture, because moisture promotes mildew, which is one of the most harmful enemies of area rugs. Using a paper towel, begin at the outside edge of the spill and work inward, to minimize spreading of the stain. If the stain is severe and your area rug is of heirloom quality, take the rug to a professional cleaner as soon as possible.

A relatively inexpensive way to help minimize wear while adding some slip protection to your area rug is an underlay pad. They're available at most improvement centers and hardware stores, and can add years to the life your rug by providing a cushion between foot traffic and the floor. They'll also help the rug stay in place, reducing the chance of injury by slipping.

How to Store Your Area Rug

If for some reason you decide to store your area rug for an extended period (for instance, if you bought your rug as an investment, which isn't uncommon), first take it to a professional cleaner and have it thoroughly cleaned and protected against damage from moths. Then wrap the rug in a breathable material, and not in plastic which will encourage moisture, which in turn will encourage the growth of mildew.

A well-crafted, beautiful area rug can not only make a dramatic statement in a room, but it can also be a sound investment, and if you give it the proper care, it can be passed from generation to generation.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Author Jeanette Fisher, America's "Dream Home" Maker, teaches interior design, redesign, and home staging. You can ask her questions on her Amazon blog or see http://www.designpsych.com for free home decorating teleseminars.